"Rose Marie and the Crystal of Desires" is a story that examines deep, profound grief and loss. The entire story is beautifully illustrated with full-page color pictures on every page. The story is presented in a fairy tale style, very accessible to children, while grappling with deep philosophical concepts. A visitation from the beyond offers Zen as an alternative to grief. It encourages a life of non-reaction to what happens and staying at ease, no matter what. The story espouses that in life there is death, and in death there is life; therefore, there is nothing to fear. Through a painful mental journey, Rose Marie and her mother, Queen Amelia, come to understand that the most important thing in life is the joy of being. They find that to live is to be present today, to feel love and feel pain. You can look at this as an entertaining fairy tale or an introduction to meditation, but it's sure to be a memorable favorite.

There are many children's books on this platform that simply should not have been published. This book is not one of them. It absolutely belongs in the lineup of excellent children's literature. The bold full-page illustrations enrich the story while the words themselves draw you deeply into a family saga. As an educator I appreciate that the story does not talk down to a child reader, but exposes them to deep, meaningful vocabulary. At the same time it is not overly wordy to the point of being boring. This is book 2 in a series but I haven't read the 1st and 3rd. I will definitely be looking for those as well.

This feels like a fantasy tale from Studio Gibli. It is very artic with a poignant message of dealing with real life. If you enjoyed Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, or Nauscaa, you will understand what this story is trying to say. If you need a tool to help you deal with family loss for your children, this is the correct tool for the job. It is being done in an artistic, fantastical way assists with the subject.

This is such a beautiful kids book! The story is beautifully written, engaging and insightful. Through the book, children can start to reflect on key themes like gratitude and appreciation for what they have but always in a very entertaining way. A good find!

This enchanting children's book tells a fantastic story with important lessons. It's beautifully written and illustrated, exploring themes of grief, love, and the strength of those who remain. A touching tale of loss and longing, it captures the quiet magic of being present for one another in difficult times.

Beautiful. Fantastical. Heavy. Deep. This is a great book for parents and teachers to open up meaningful dialogue. Get it, read it, and then share it with your kids.

Beautiful. Fantastical. Heavy. Deep. This is a great book for parents and teachers to open up meaningful dialogue. Get it, read it, and then share it with your kids.

Obsessed with this series❤️ it gives you a deeper look on life challenges expressed in a very sweet way. Highly recommend these books in the family shelf.

Wow! What an incredible book, I’m so thankful that I found a book that helps children and even adults address difficult emotions through story telling. Highly recommended!

Beautiful story about love, grief and letting go. Builds really nice on the prequel Horatio in the Wind. Teaches a lot about life and would recommend to anyone young or old.

What a different way to present some profound topics. i view this story as a great dialogue opener for children whom are possibly 6~8 years old on the subject of death, which is usually not prevalent in children's media. its a refreshing departure from all the other types of happily ever afters, no saving the princess or love at first site here. instead, a very grounded and philosophical talking point. Im looking forward to sharing this with my 4 & 5 year old nephews!

I have thoroughly enjoyed both Rose Marie and the Crystal of Desires and the first book in the series -Horatio in the Wind- as well. I love this book for many reasons: the awesome storytelling, the beautiful drawings, how well it leands itself to being read to my nieces and nephews, among others.It is at the same time a pretty fantasy story to be enjoyed for it own sake, and a geat way to discuss loss and appreciation for what we have. It is very hard, in this day and age, to teach kids to appreciate all they have, to appreciate the people in their lives; and the story of Queen Amelia in the Rose Marie and the Crystal of Desires that Oldenburg so cleverly portrays in the book is a phenomenal way of showcasing what can happen when you don't and what can happen when you do.Awesome, awesome, awesome book! Well done Oldenburg.

What a beautiful written book about life and death. Be careful what you wish for. The illustrations were magnificent also, it really told the story. I highly recommend it.

My neighbor's 8-year-old kid who I watch sometimes loved this book—we read it twice in one sitting! I appreciated it as much as him! It sparked a deep and unexpected conversation about loss, memories, and the cycle of life from my own experience. Most children that young are fortunate not to have yet seen a lot of passing of loved ones, but they need to be prepared. This is a beautifully written story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I think it's great for children on this sensitive topic.

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the author in the most unexpected way. We were both budding writers, standing in a long post office line, each dropping off books for eager readers. As we struck up a conversation, neither of us knew what the other was shipping—until we discovered our shared passion for storytelling and helping others.Intrigued by each other’s work, we exchanged information and promised to send our books to one another. That chance encounter led me to Horatio in the Wind, a truly remarkable read. To my delight, its sequel, Rose Marie and the Crystal of Desires, has proven just as exceptional!With profound depth, Mr. Oldenburg explores the often-taboo topic of death, guiding readers through an emotional yet exhilarating journey that invites reflection on life and eternity. Bravo once again! Looking forward to our next post office encounter!